Important Dates
The Women and Gender Equity Manitoba Secretariat recognizes key dates of importance throughout the year and participates in several provincial and international campaigns that spotlight various issues affecting sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression.
March 8th is
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day celebrates the invaluable contributions of women in all aspects of our society. It was formally adopted by the United Nations in 1977.
March 21 is
Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Awareness to Celebration Day
Annual day that recognizes and celebrates the diverse sexualities and gender expressions that exist within Indigenous communities.
The Month of April is
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Manitoba. Our goal during Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault, share information about available resources and foster a greater understanding of consent.
April 14 is
Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Awareness Day
April 14 is Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Awareness Day in Manitoba.
May 17 is
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHTB)
Global campaign aimed at raising awareness about the ongoing discrimination, violence and marginalization faced by those who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. This global campaign is also a celebration of sexual and gender diversity. Each year has a theme.
The Month of June is
Pride Month
Pride Month is observed in June to honour the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in June 1969. Pride Month commemorates years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equity, inclusion and the fundamental human rights of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
The Fourth Week of September is
Gender Equality Week
In 2018, the Government of Canada proclaimed the fourth week of September as Gender Equality Week.
The Month of October is
Women's History Month
October is Women's History Month. This month represents an opportunity to highlight the past and present contributions of women from all walks of life as a vital part of our society.
October 4 is
National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
The National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is a day where we mourn the loss of women and girls gone too soon and take time to honour and acknowledge the healing journeys ahead. This day honours our commitment to ending violence against Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse populations.
October 11 is
International Day of the Girl
On this day, we celebrate and recognize the achievements of girls in Manitoba, and reflect on how to remove barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
November 20 is
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
It was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
November 25 to December 10 is
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an annual international campaign designed to raise awareness and direct action towards ending gender-based violence. The campaign runs each year from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25), to International Human Rights Day (December 10), emphasizing that violence against women is a human rights issue.
December 6 is
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
On December 6, 1989, 14 women were killed in an act of gender-based violence at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. Every year on this day we remember:
- Geneviève Bergeron
- Hélène Colgan
- Nathalie Croteau
- Barbara Daigneault
- Anne-Marie Edward
- Maud Haviernick
- Maryse Laganière
- Maryse Leclair
- Anne-Marie Lemay
- Sonia Pelletier
- Michèle Richard
- Annie St-Arneault
- Annie Turcotte
- Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz